All Terrain Tire sizing, wear and mpg impacts sought

[griggsd]

Need to get new tires this fall after 50K trouble free but recall heavy miles on a bone stock SRW 2013 with highway gears (3:42). The factory firestones have held up but there are better tires out there. Am seeking an all-terrain with sound wet/ice/snow capability and longevity. Stock size is 275/70/18E. The truck has been averaging 20-21 mpg empty and 16-17 towing, so while I like the idea of a slightly larger tire (34-35"), the efficiency of stock sizing is compelling. Any recommendations as to best tire and sizing? Thanks.

 

[Newsa]

You were able to get 50K out of Firestone TransForce AT's? I traded in my TransForce HT's (They were smaller (245/7017E)) that were wearing badly for Transforce AT's that seem to get better wear than the HT's. But just curious what you got.

I have the same size 275/70/18 E.

 

[jhenderson]

I got about 25K out of my Transforce ATs. A little more out a set of Starfire( private label Cooper). Right now I'm running Nitto EXO Grappler. They're a little agressive compared to the Transforce ATs. They plow great, haul my 9ton dump very well and they're wearing well. I expect to plow another season on them. I've never gotten two plowing seasons out of tires before. They are a little loud, took about 6oz. apiece average to balance and they hold stones more than I'd like. Everything is a compromise. Overall I'm happy with them.
Ps. They are 275-75-18 and my mileage hasn't changed noticeably.

 

[Newsa]

Yeah, I might not get a lot of mileage out of my Transforce AT's

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

For best mileage, I’d stay with stock size tires. 35’s will bring mileage down quite a bit. I’d recommend checking out Toyo Open Country AT2’s. I’ve had two different size sets of them and very pleased with both sets. My last set were 35’s and I got over 60K miles out of them.

 

[cerberusiam]

You don't need any more tire with 3.42's, stock is already almost 33". Nitto G2's have the ratings you need and are a good AT tire. Pretty quiet with good traction on a range of surfaces.

 

[Cummins2014]

Recently replaced my OEM Firestone transforce with Toyo AT2's so far so good , only about 5K on them they run very quiet, and seem to handle well. time will tell. My only two choices I considered was the Toyo, and the Cooper AT3. If the Toyo's do not do as well as I think they should, which should be somewhere in the 40-50K range, I will try the Coopers next. Have read good things about both Brands.

As far as size, I stayed stock. IMO all bigger tires accomplish is spending more money, lose of mileage ,and power. Been thru all that with my previous truck, went up to a set of 35's, and as soon as they were worn out back to stock.

 

[GrantP]

As far as size, I stayed stock. IMO all bigger tires accomplish is spending more money, lose of mileage ,and power. Been thru all that with my previous truck, went up to a set of 35's, and as soon as they were worn out back to stock.

It's a slippery slope and I can't argue any of those points. That said, I'll be running 37's next time. Point is, buy the tire you need for your intended use and deal with the consequences. You will lose mileage (minimally in my experience) and you definitely will spend more money for the tires, power can mostly be fixed by re-gearing the axles which goes back to more money...I use my truck off road a lot so while it is a trade off it's worth it to me.

 

[Cummins2014]

It's a slippery slope and I can't argue any of those points. That said, I'll be running 37's next time. Point is, buy the tire you need for your intended use and deal with the consequences. You will lose mileage (minimally in my experience) and you definitely will spend more money for the tires, power can mostly be fixed by re-gearing the axles which goes back to more money...I use my truck off road a lot so while it is a trade off it's worth it to me.

IMO the slippery slope ,is looks, and looks only with larger tires, yes there can be a benefit off road, and also a hindrance .To me the only benefit would be some minimal ground clearance . I too do a bit of off road ,hunting that is, no hill or rock climbing other then what we encounter hunting. I don't off road to off road. I used to run two sets of tires ,and wheels . One smaller set to be able to chain all four for hunting if needed. And a somewhat bigger set for looks I don't do that anymore, but these newer trucks are harder to chain up because clearance with tie rods etc., and thats why ATV's were invented

In conclusion IMO big tires, and lifts are for looks, and looks only. They don't mix with my type of towing, driving, and what off road I do these days an ATV will do a much better job quicker, smoother, and not having to beat up a 60K truck .

 

[Dodger2014]

Need to get new tires this fall after 50K trouble free but recall heavy miles on a bone stock SRW 2013 with highway gears (3:42). The factory firestones have held up but there are better tires out there. Am seeking an all-terrain with sound wet/ice/snow capability and longevity. Stock size is 275/70/18E. The truck has been averaging 20-21 mpg empty and 16-17 towing, so while I like the idea of a slightly larger tire (34-35"), the efficiency of stock sizing is compelling. Any recommendations as to best tire and sizing? Thanks.

I put 295/70-18 on mine. They are Nitto Terra Grappler G2. Low low noise. Wear great since I had the front end aligned to the Thuren leveling kit specs. Mileage went down about 1-1.5 mpg. I don't have my foot in it a lot these days though!



need to update my sig!

 

[GrantP]

In conclusion IMO big tires, and lifts are for looks, and looks only. They don't mix with my type of towing, driving, and what off road I do these days an ATV will do a much better job quicker, smoother, and not having to beat up a 60K truck .

Some "lifts" are just for looks, some aren't. And you kinda reinforced my point, buy the tire that fits your intended use.

 

[griggsd]

Thanks everyone. Your input helps a lot. Newsa - my factory tires have been Transforce HT's, and they've had an easy life which explains uncommon longevity for that tire, but the next set won't have it so easy. My last truck, 00' 2500 6spd 3.54 actually improved mileage by 2 mpg when I increased the tires from 275/75/16 to 295/75/16; diameters that parallel 275/70/18 and 295/70/18. Final drive ratios in overdrive are very different between a NV5600 and Aisin, so I think any increase in size here will lead to what Dodger 2014 is saying. GrantP and Cummins2014 are both right, the difference is in how they're using their trucks.

 

[Rebel Horseman]

I got 16k out of my HTs and I was close to the wear bars. I swapped for a set of stock size Wrangler Duratracs and have generally been very pleased with them. I’m right at 30k on them and could probably make it to 35-40k but I don’t like running tires that long. They are a little noisy but not bad, especially now with some wear. But they have really good traction in most conditions. I did have them in snow back in January in TN on vacation and was impressed. I didn’t notice much mileage hit either.

My next set with be Firestone Destination MT2 in 285/70r17 as I snagged a set of OEM 17s for $150.

 

[EDankievitch]

I'm running a set of 295-70-18 Cooper Discovery At3's so far they roll ok. I'm not happy that they will not hold balance. I rotate front to back every 10k miles last time I had to have them re balanced. at 25k miles on them they are a bit louder than I'd like. Next time I'm going for the extra $$ and tracking down a set of Toyo's I had a set on my Toyota years a back and they were awesome quiet smooth and did not seem to effect the MPG's unlike a set of ProComp tires I ran once. I bought a speedometer cal tool that allows me to adjust the speedometer to fit the tires. It does this through the trucks computer much like in the old days when we could ask the dealer to change the pinion offset. On these newer trucks you want the computer to know how fast you are going so the transmission shifts correctly. It makes a big difference with the MPG's.

 

[lawdog1]

285/75/18 Toyo AT2 on my truck. Got 24K on them now. Expect to get 50K out of them, as the warranty says. I rotate/balance/align every 5K (got the lifetime on all from Firestone...they will do that even if you dont buy the tires from them...cant beat that!). I did not recal speedo so hand calculate mileage and add 5% to figure due to rotation difference over stock size. I see a .5 to 1 mpg penalty...but my '16 DEF with 3.42 is soooo much better than my '12 w/ 4.10, I am still 3-5 mpg in the positive. Sometimes you got to give a little for personal preference/looks. I love the AT2's, highly recommend them. Its not a MT or heavy off road tire, but the on road benefits, long life, good towing and all around use are worth the trade for me and they are much better than the stock Transforce off pavement. Happy shopping!

 

[Regcabguy]

Regardless of where you bought it Discount Tire will sell you free replacement certificates which includes rotation/rebalance and flat repairs.

 

[Killer223]

i gotta say i really like https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/wrangler-all-terrain-adventure?cta=BBCardTireName
on my truck.. great tire so far.

 

[Flash1034]

Another vote for the Toyo AT2s. They look great, and drive great.

 

[RT395]

wow. expensive tires...

 

[Flash1034]

Toyos are expensive but they are some of the most round tires out there. Very little, if any, weight is required to balance them. They are very well made.